This snippet from Susan Jacoby (author of "The Age of American Unreason," a book which I have not read) has convinced me that I have done the right thing by avoiding most television.
Obviously, I watch some TV -- mainly movies and TV series on DVD (current favorites: Battlestar Galactica, Family Guy). I tend to wait until something has stood the test of time and has a few personal recommendations. I did make an exception for Heroes (although due to travel and work I've fallen far behind on that). I can't stand TV news and avoid it at all costs.
The n00b is not completely free of video fun. He likes to watch clips of classic Muppets on Youtube. Plus the videos at Where the Hell is Matt? He loves those. N00b dances around the family room saying "Matt dance, Daddy! Matt dance!" But he's out of the loop of contemporary kid culture. Other parents sometimes ask if he like Elmo (no, but he likes Grover!).
Of course, it's just a matter of time. N00b loves the moving, singing, dancing images, even though he associates them with the computer rather than the TV. And just TRY to get a kid's toothbrush without a cartoon character on it. Go ahead. I dare you.
At least Youtube clips are short and free of commercials. And have Grover. 'Cuz being a crazy liberal, I'd rather have blue muppets than red ones.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Television Zombies
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2 comments:
Y'know, "Sesame Street" is now on DVD, if you want Muppets without commercials. (I think there's even a warning label indicating that the content may be disturbing for children!) I learned to count up to 10 in English and Spanish by watching "SS," though I think the N00B is already far ahead of that. I don't think the N00B is missing anything by not knowing who Elmo is, though - Elmo is sorta like the Jar Jar Binks of Sesame Street for those of us who grew up on the classic show.
Wait - does the N00B know who Kermit the Frog and Cookie Monster are? If not, I think the next song I teach the N00B may have to be along the lines of "C is for Cookie, that's good enough for me..." :)
Oh yes, he knows the cookie monster. And none of that "Cookies are a sometimes food" stuff. The other day we had cookies after he went to bed and made the mistake of not putting them away. He was very triumphant: "I had COOKIES for BREAKFAST!"
That's the sort of parental mistake you only make once...
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